By Cecilia Nasmith

Cobourg council this week approved the request from Downtown Business Improvement Area board-of-management chair Adam Bureau for a one-hour grace period for downtown parking for the month of December.

“It's basically an annual event,” Councillor Suzanne Seguin stated in making her motion.

The letter came before council Monday at its committee-of-the-whole meeting, asking for a one-hour grace period for those parked downtown (at a meter or at pay-and-display parking) before the bylaw-enforcement officer issues a ticket.

“lt would help encourage and promote shopping local during the holidays, and be beneficial to guests of the Art Gallery of Northumberland, Concert Hall and Victoria Hall,” Bureau's letter said.

“Issuing a grace period at the expired meter and a friendly warning also thanks customers for coming to the downtown area, and would turn a potential ticket and negative experience to a positive story they may share with others.”

“I think it's well worth it to have people visit the downtown area for that extra hour,” Councillor Forrest Rowden commented.